We all know there are numerous benefits to staying active that goes beyond your physical appearance. When the body receives adequate exercise, the brain releases chemicals such as dopamine and endorphins to create a feel-good incentive for staying active. While you exercise your body also releases unwanted chemicals that cause stress and anxiety. Your body actually rewards you for exercising by making you happier and able to think clearer! 

Yet, all reason goes out the door when the dark days of winter roll around to suck up the last of our motivation to go to the gym. 

For those who prefer to play sports rather than lift weights, there are many options available all year long. There are plenty of indoor or winter sports to partake in that will give you the same benefits as going to the gym. 

Each one of these sports are cardiovascular exercises that will increase your heart rate and have you breaking a sweat! Keep reading to learn more!

Skiing, Snowboarding, and Cross-Country Skiing

Skiing is an amazing lower body and core workout. Since you spend most of the time going downhill, it’s one of the only sports that doesn’t feel like a workout until you are drinking hot chocolate down at the lodge at the end of the day. Skiing is a great way to get out and embrace the winter brisk. If downhill skiing isn’t for you, you can try snowboarding or cross-country skiing, both of which are excellent workouts!

Ice Skating and Ice Hockey

Like any workout, skating is a great cardio exercise that incorporates a majority of the muscles in your lower body. Ice skating also requires good core strength to stay balanced and upright. An added benefit is when gliding on skates, it takes synchronicity of the body to do so correctly, which is good for joint flexibility. Ice hockey takes skating skills and adds in a fast-paced competitive game.

Tennis

Tennis is one of the best full-body workouts you can find, and indoor courts make it possible to play all year long. The sport requires short bursts of energy and focus to get the ball over the net. This sort of high-intensity interval workout is ideal for burning calories without overdoing it. 

Basketball

Basketball is great for improving hand eye coordination and balance. From running and jumping to shooting and stealing the ball, the sport includes almost every core muscle group in the body. It doesn’t take long to work up a sweat in basketball, even if you are playing a half court game!

Our top tip to staying active is finding something you enjoy doing. Whether you like getting on a treadmill or playing a game with friends, having fun takes the work out of staying fit.